Statement by the President on South Africa's Third Democratic Election
Statement by the President

April 21, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

I congratulate President Thabo Mbeki on South Africa's third
democratic national election and his party's election victory. The
United States also congratulates the people of South Africa as they
celebrate on April 27 the tenth anniversary of freedom and democracy
replacing apartheid rule. The United States welcomes the peaceful
exercise of democracy demonstrated by the government and people of the
Republic of South Africa. All competing parties deserve recognition
for playing their role in a multi-party democracy. We commend their
acceptance of the outcome and their use of the legal system and the
rule of law to resolve disputes.